Erin Upchurch to be New Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Youth Center

Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC), a local nonprofit benefiting LGBTQ+ youth and their allies, has found new leadership in Erin Upchurch, MSSA, LISW-S. As new Executive Director of KYC, Upchurch succeeds former executive director Amy Eldridge, who resigned last year. Upchurch will begin her new role on April 1.

“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Kaleidoscope family,” Upchurch said in a press release,” and am looking forward to standing with and supporting our youth, families, and community.”

Upchurch most recently made headlines during her 2017 campaign for Columbus City School Board. She, Amy Harkins and Abby Vaile ran on the Yes We Can Columbus ticket. The three Democratic party-endorsed incumbents, Ramona Reyes, Michael Cole, and Dominic Paretti, ultimately won.

Upchurch is currently the Assistant Clinical Director of Netcare Corporation, a 24-hour mental health and substance abuse crisis intervention, assessment and referral service. They connect their clients to the county’s Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health (ADAMH) system. She’s also a Community Lecturer and Field Instructor at OSU’s College of Social Work, as well as a board member for the Central Ohio Fair Housing Association.

Upchurch has helped lead and cofound a number of organizations, including Columbus Urban Pride, New Leaf Columbus, TransOhio and the Ohio AIDS Coalition.

Kaleidoscope supports LGBTQ+ and ally youth between the ages of 12 and 20. Young people dealing with “identity issues, family discord, mental health problems, or the challenges of adolescence” can find educational resources and community gatherings there.

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Lauren Sega is the former Associate Editor for Columbus Underground and a current freelance writer for CU. She covers political issues on the local and state levels, as well as local food and restaurant news. She grew up near Cleveland, graduated from Ohio University's Scripps School of Journalism, and loves running, traveling and hiking.

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Lauren Sega is the former Associate Editor for Columbus Underground and a current freelance writer for CU. She covers political issues on the local and state levels, as well as local food and restaurant news. She grew up near Cleveland, graduated from Ohio University's Scripps School of Journalism, and loves running, traveling and hiking.